Method and apparatus for reducing isolation in a home network

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a CATV signal distribution system including an attenuator circuit configured to couple a high-pass node of a first signal separation device to a high-pass node of a second signal separation device, conduct signals within a predetermined high frequency band between first and second subscriber devices, control attenuation of signals within the predetermined high frequency band, control a level of attenuation of the signals within the predetermined high frequency band between the first and second subscriber devices passing from the high-pass node of the first signal separation device to the high-pass node of the second signal separation device and passing from the high-pass node of the second signal separation device to the high-pass node of the first signal separation device, adjust a frequency response tilt of the signals within the predetermined high frequency band communicated between the first subscriber devices and the second in subscriber devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/007,810 entitled “Method and Apparatus forReducing Isolation in a Home Network,” filed Jun. 13, 2018, which claimspriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/333,060, entitled“Method and Apparatus for Reducing Isolation in a Home Network,” filedDec. 21, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/425,680 to Erdogan Alkan entitled “Method andApparatus for Reducing Isolation in a Home Network,” filed Dec. 21,2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein byreference; and this application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/427,351. to Erdogan Alkan entitled “Method andApparatus for Reducing Isolation in a Home Network,” filed Dec. 27,2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein byreference; and this application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/552,458 to Erdogan Alkan entitled “Method andApparatus for Reducing Isolation in a Home Network,” filed Oct. 28,2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to community access or cabletelevision (CATV) networks and to in-home entertainment (IHE) networks.More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a CATV signaldistribution system for improving signal isolation problems within anin-home cable infrastructure that distributes both CATV signals andin-home entertainment signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Community access television, or cable television, (CATV) networks use aninfrastructure of interconnected coaxial cables, splitters, amplifiers,filters, trunk lines, cable taps, drop lines and other signal-conductingdevices to supply and distribute “downstream” signals from a main signaldistribution facility, known as a head-end, toward subscriber premisessuch as homes and businesses. The downstream signals operate thesubscriber equipment, such as television sets, telephones, andcomputers. The typical CATV network is a two-way communication system.CATV networks also transmit “upstream” signals from the subscriberequipment back to the head-end of the CATV network. For example,upstream bandwidth may include data related to video-on-demand services,such as video requests and billing authorization. Two-way communicationis also utilized when using a personal computer connected through theCATV infrastructure to the public Internet, for example when sharingphoto albums or entering user account information. In yet anotherexample, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephones and securitymonitoring equipment use the CATV infrastructure and the public Internetas the communication medium for transmitting two-way telephoneconversations and monitoring functions.

To permit simultaneous communication of upstream and downstream CATVsignals and the interoperability of the subscriber equipment and theequipment associated with the CATV network infrastructure outside ofsubscriber premises, the downstream and upstream CATV signals areconfined to two different frequency bands. In most CATV networks thedownstream frequency band, or downstream bandwidth, is within the rangeof 54-1002 megahertz (MHz) and the upstream frequency band, or upstreambandwidth, is within the range of 5-42 MHz.

An in-home entertainment (IHE) network may be coupled to the CATVnetwork via the same coaxial cable delivering the downstream andupstream bandwidth of the CATV system. The in-home entertainment networkcan be a network providing multiple streams of high definition video andgaming entertainment. Examples of in-home entertainment networktechnologies include Ethernet, HomePlug, Home Phoneline NetworkingAlliance (HPNA), Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) and 802.11nprotocols. The in-home entertainment (IHE) network is coupled to theCATV network within a subscriber premises to allow the CATV network todistribute IHE signals from one multimedia device to another within thesubscriber premises.

Since the operation of the subscriber premises IHE network must occursimultaneously with the operation of the CATV services, the IHE signalsoften utilize a frequency range different from the frequency ranges ofthe CATV upstream and downstream signals. A typical IHE frequency bandis 1125-1675 MHz, which is referred to in this document as themultimedia-over-coax frequency range, or bandwidth. In this documentmultimedia-over-coax signals are IHE signals within this frequencyrange. A specific IHE network technology can includes other frequencyranges, but the 1125 to 1675 MHz frequency range is of major relevancebecause of its principal use in establishing connections between themultimedia devices within a subscriber network.

Although using the in-home cable infrastructure as the communicationmedium substantially simplifies the implementation of the IHE network,there are certain disadvantages to doing so. One noted problem ariseswhen multimedia-over-coax signals pass backwards through a conventionalsplitter en route to another IHE-enabled device within the network. TheCATV network and the in-home cable infrastructure were originallyintended for the distribution of CATV signals. The typical in-home cableinfrastructure uses signal splitters to divide CATV downstream signalsinto multiple CATV downstream paths and to combine multiple CATVupstream signals into a single CATV upstream path. The CATV entryadapter was not originally intended to communicate multimedia-over-coaxsignals between its ports, as is necessary to achievemultimedia-over-coax signal communication in the IHE network. Toimplement the IHE network, the multimedia-over-coax signals musttraverse between separate signal component legs of a signalsplitter/combiner which are connected to the multiple ports.

The typical signal splitter has a high degree of signal rejection orisolation between its separate output signal component legs. When themultimedia-over-coax signals traverse between the separate signalcomponent legs of the splitter, the degree of signal rejection orisolation greatly attenuates the strength of the multimedia-over-coaxsignals. According to field tests, IHE devices coupled to output portsof a two, three, or four-way signal splitter are able to communicate inthe multimedia-over-coax frequency band. However, IHE-compatible devicescoupled to the output ports of multi-port splitters such as six-way andeight-way signal splitters are having trouble communicating usingmultimedia-over-coax signals. For splitters having more than four outputports, the splitters must have special circuitry to overcomecommunication problems in the multimedia-over-coax band. Thus it isdesirable to have a system which transmits both CATV and IHE signalswithout attenuating or rejecting the IHE signals that are travellingbetween splitter output ports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to community access or cabletelevision (CATV) networks and to in-home entertainment (IHE) networks.More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a CATV signaldistribution system for improving signal quality within an in-home cableinfrastructure that includes both CATV signals and in-home entertainmentsignals.

Disclosed is a community access television (CATV) signal distributionsystem that includes a CATV signal input port configured for connectionto a CATV network; a signal splitter includes a common splitter terminaland at least two splitter output terminals. The common splitter terminalcouples to the CATV signal input port, the signal splitter is configuredto divide a CATV downstream signal received at the common terminal intomultiple CATV downstream signals supplied at the at least two splitteroutput terminals, the signal splitter is configured to communicateupstream signals received at the at least two splitter output terminalsto the common splitter terminal. A first diplexer includes a firstcommon node, a first high-pass node, and a first low-pass node, in whichthe first diplexer is configured to communicate signals within apredetermined high frequency band between the first common node of thefirst diplexer and the first high-pass node of the first diplexer, thefirst diplexer is configured to communicate signals at a predeterminedlow frequency band between the first common node and the first low-passnode, the first low-pass node directly connects to a first splitteroutput terminal of the at least two splitter output terminals, and thefirst common node is configured to be coupled to at least a subscriberdevice.

The system includes second diplexer includes a second common node, asecond high-pass node, and a second low-pass node, in which the seconddiplexer is configured to communicate signals within the predeterminedhigh frequency band between the second common node of the seconddiplexer and the second high-pass node of the second diplexer. Thesecond diplexer is configured to communicate signals at thepredetermined low frequency band between the second common node of thesecond diplexer and the second low-pass node of the second diplexer. Thesecond low-pass node of the second diplexer directly connects to asecond splitter output terminal of the at least two splitter outputterminals. The common node of the second diplexer is configured to becoupled to at least a second in-home entertainment-compatible subscriberdevice, and the second high-pass node of the second diplexer isconfigured to couple to the first high-pass node of the first diplexer.A first multi-port splitter includes a common port and a plurality ofoutput ports, the common port configured to be coupled to the commonnode of the first diplexer, and at least one of the output ports of thefirst multi-port configured to be coupled to the first in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber device. A second multi-port splitterincludes a common port and a plurality of output ports, the common portof the second multi-port splitter being configured to be coupled to thecommon node of the second diplexer, and at least one of the output portsof the second multi-port splitter configured to be coupled to the secondin-home entertainment-compatible subscriber device.

The system further includes an attenuator circuit configured tocondition the signals within the predetermined high frequency band bycontrolling reflection of the signals conducted between the first andsecond in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices, wherein thesecond high-pass node of the second diplexer and the first high-passnode of the first diplexer are configured to bidirectionally communicatethe signals within the predetermined high frequency band among aplurality of subscriber devices via the attenuator circuit and thecontrolling the reflection comprises controlling a strength of thein-home entertainment signals returning in an opposite direction, andadjust a frequency response tilt of the in-home entertainment signalswithin the predetermined high frequency band bidirectionallycommunicated between the first plurality of in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices and the second plurality ofin-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices through thehigh-pass terminal of the first diplexer and the high-pass terminal ofthe second diplexer.

Disclosed is a community access television (CATV) signal distributionsystem configured to conduct downstream and upstream CATV signalsbetween a CATV network and at least one subscriber device at asubscriber premises, and further configured to conduct in-homeentertainment signals between multiple subscriber devices at thesubscriber premises connected in an in-home entertainment network. TheCATV signals occupy a frequency band which is different from an in-homenetwork frequency band occupied by the in-home entertainment signals,the CATV signal distribution system includes a CATV signal input portconfigured for connection to the CATV network; a signal splitterincludes a common terminal configured to be coupled to the CATV signalinput port, and two output terminals, the signal splitter configured todivide a CATV downstream signal received at the common terminal intomultiple CATV downstream signals supplied at its output terminals, thesignal splitter also configured to communicate upstream signals receivedat each output terminal to the common terminal; and a first signalseparation device.

The first signal separation device is configured to be coupled to afirst subscriber device communicate signals at a predetermined lowfrequency band from the first subscriber device to one of the outputterminals of the signal splitter; and block signals at a predeterminedhigh frequency transmitted from the first subscriber device fromreaching the signal splitter. The system includes a second signalseparation device configured to be coupled to a second subscriberdevice, and further configured to communicate the in-home entertainmentsignals from the second subscriber device within the predetermined highfrequency band to the first signal separation device, wherein the firstsignal separation device communicates in-home entertainment signals fromthe first subscriber device within the predetermined high frequency bandto the second signal separation device; communicate signals at thepredetermined low frequency band from the second subscriber device tothe other of the output terminals of the signal splitter; and, blocksignals at a predetermined high frequency transmitted from the secondsubscriber device from reaching the signal splitter.

The splitter is directly connected to the first signal separation deviceand the second signal separation device; and an attenuator circuitcoupled to the first signal separation device and to the second signalseparation device and configured to receive the in-home entertainmentsignals therefrom, the attenuator circuit configured to bidirectionallyconduct in-home entertainment signals within the predetermined highfrequency band between the first and second in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices, and configured to controlattenuation and control reflection of in-home entertainment signalsconducted between the first and second in-home entertainment-compatiblesubscriber devices within the predetermined high frequency bandbidirectionally conducted between the first and second in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices. The controlling theattenuation includes controlling a strength of the in-home entertainmentsignals traveling between two points, and the controlling the reflectioncomprises controlling a strength of the in-home entertainment signalsreturning in an opposite direction.

Disclosed is a community access television (CATV) signal distributionsystem including an attenuator circuit configured to couple a high-passnode of the first signal separation device to a high-pass node of asecond signal separation device, the attenuator circuit configured tobidirectionally conduct in-home entertainment signals within apredetermined high frequency band between first and second in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices, and configured to controlattenuation of in-home entertainment signals within the predeterminedhigh frequency band bidirectionally conducted between the first andsecond in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices.

The attenuator circuit is further configured to control a level ofattenuation of the in-home entertainment signals within thepredetermined high frequency band between the first and second in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices passing from the high-passnode of the first signal separation device to the high-pass node of thesecond signal separation device and passing from the high-pass node ofthe second signal separation device to the high-pass node of the firstsignal separation device.

The attenuator circuit is further configured to adjust a frequencyresponse tilt of the in-home entertainment signals within thepredetermined high frequency band bidirectionally communicated betweenthe first in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices and thesecond in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices through thehigh-pass node of the first signal separation device and the high-passterminal of the second signal separation device.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more detailed description of theparticular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features described herein can be better understood with reference tothe drawings described below. The drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principlesof the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicatelike parts throughout the various views.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic view of a prior art CATV signaldistribution system in which the signal arriving at input port 112 issplit eight ways;

FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic view of a prior art CATV signaldistribution system that includes an output port used to connect to apiece of embedded multimedia terminal adapter (eMTA) subscriberequipment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of CATV signaldistribution system 110 according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of CATV signaldistribution system 110 according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of CATV signaldistribution system 110 according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of CATV signaldistribution system 110 according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of CATV signaldistribution system 110 according to the invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates method 200 of electrically coupling two four-waysignal splitters according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Community access television, or cable television, (CATV) networks use aninfrastructure of interconnected coaxial cables, splitters, amplifiers,filters, trunk lines, cable taps, drop lines and other signal-conductingdevices to supply and distribute “downstream” signals from a main CATVsignal distribution facility, known as a head-end, toward subscriberpremises such as homes and businesses. The downstream signals operatethe subscriber equipment, such as television sets, telephones, andcomputers. The typical CATV network is a two-way communication system.CATV networks also transmit “upstream” signals from the subscriberequipment back to the head-end of the CATV network. For example,upstream bandwidth may include data related to video-on-demand services,such as video requests and billing authorization. Two-way communicationis also utilized when using a personal computer connected through theCATV infrastructure to the public Internet, for example when sharingphoto albums or entering user account information. In yet anotherexample, Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephones and securitymonitoring equipment use the CATV infrastructure and the public Internetas the communication medium for passing two-way telephone conversationsand monitoring functions.

To permit simultaneous communication of upstream and downstream CATVsignals and the interoperability of the subscriber equipment and theequipment associated with the CATV network infrastructure outside ofsubscriber premises, the downstream and upstream signals are confined totwo different frequency bands. In most CATV networks the downstreamfrequency band, or downstream bandwidth, is within the range of 54-1002megahertz (MHz) and the upstream frequency band, or upstream bandwidth,is within the range of 5-42 MHz.

The downstream signals are delivered from the CATV networkinfrastructure to the subscriber premises at a CATV entry adapter, whichis also commonly referred to as an entry device, terminal adapter or adrop amplifier. The entry adapter is a multi-port device which connectsat a premises entry port to a CATV drop cable from the CATV networkinfrastructure. The entry adapter connects at a multiplicity of otherdistribution ports to coaxial cables which extend throughout thesubscriber premises to a cable outlet. Each cable outlet is available tobe connected to subscriber equipment. Typically, most homes have coaxialcables extending to cable outlets in almost every room, becausedifferent types of subscriber equipment may be used in different rooms.For example, television sets, computers and telephone sets are commonlyused in many different rooms of a home or office. The multipledistribution ports of the entry adapter deliver the downstream signalsto each cable outlet and conduct the upstream signals from thesubscriber equipment through the entry adapter to the drop cable and theCATV infrastructure.

In addition to television sets, computers and telephones, a relativelylarge number of other entertainment and multimedia devices are availablefor use in homes. For example, a digital video recorder (DVR) is used torecord broadcast programming, still photography and moving pictures in amemory medium so that the content can be replayed on a display ortelevision set at a later time selected by the user. As another example,computer games are also played at displays or on television sets. Suchcomputer games may be those obtained over the Internet from the CATVnetwork or from media played on play-back devices connected to displaysor television sets. In another example, receivers of satellite-broadcastsignals may be distributed for viewing or listening throughout the home.These types of devices, including the more conventional television sets,telephone sets and devices connected to the Internet by the CATVnetwork, are generically referred to as multimedia devices.

An in-home entertainment (IHE) network may be coupled to the CATVnetwork via the same coaxial cable delivering the downstream andupstream bandwidth of the CATV system. The in-home entertainment networkcan be a network providing multiple streams of high definition video andgaming entertainment. Examples of in-home entertainment networktechnologies include Ethernet, HomePlug, Home Phoneline NetworkingAlliance (HPNA), Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) and 802.11nprotocols. The in-home entertainment (IHE) network is coupled to theCATV network within a subscriber premises to allow the CATV network todistribute IHE signals from one multimedia device to another within thesubscriber premises.

In a specific example, the in-home entertainment network may employtechnology standards developed to distribute multimedia-over-coaxsignals within the CATV subscriber premises. Products designed to usemultimedia-over-coax signals can be used to create an in-homeentertainment network by interconnecting presently-known and futuremultimedia devices, such as set-top boxes, routers and gateways,bridges, optical network terminals, computers, gaming systems, displaydevices, printers, network-attached storage, and home automation such asfurnace settings and lighting control.

An IHE network uses the in-home coaxial cable infrastructure originallyestablished for distribution of CATV signals within the subscriberpremises, principally because that coaxial cable infrastructure alreadyexists in most homes and is capable of carrying much more informationthan is carried in the CATV frequency bands. An IHE network isestablished by connecting IHE-enabled devices or multimedia-over-coaxinterface devices at the cable outlets in the rooms of the subscriberpremises. Each IHE-enabled device is capable of communicating with everyother IHE-enabled device in the in-home or subscriber premises networkto deliver the multimedia content throughout the home or subscriberpremises—as long as IHE signal attenuation does not prohibitcommunication. The multimedia content that is available from onemultimedia device can be displayed, played or otherwise used at adifferent location within the home, without having to physicallyrelocate the originating multimedia device from one location to anotherwithin the subscriber premises. The communication of multimedia contentis considered beneficial in more fully utilizing the multimedia devicespresent in modern homes.

Since the operation of the subscriber premises IHE network must occursimultaneously with the operation of the CATV services, themultimedia-over-coax signals utilize a frequency range different fromthe frequency ranges of the CATV upstream and downstream signals. Atypical multimedia-over-coax frequency band is 1125-1675 MHz. Aparticular IHE network frequency band may include other frequencyranges, but the 1125-1675 MHz band is of major relevance because of itsprincipal use in establishing connections between themultimedia-over-coax interface devices within the CATV network.

Although using the in-home cable infrastructure as the communicationmedium substantially simplifies the implementation of the IHE network,there are certain disadvantages to doing so. One noted problem ariseswhen multimedia-over-coax signals pass backwards through a conventionalsplitter en route to another IHE-enabled device within the network. TheCATV network and the in-home cable infrastructure were originallyintended for the distribution of CATV signals. The typical in-home cableinfrastructure uses signal splitters to divide CATV downstream signalsinto multiple CATV downstream paths and to combine multiple CATVupstream signals into a single CATV upstream path, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows a typical configuration for splitting/combining a CATVsignal eight ways. In this system two four-way signal splitters 130 and140, and two-way signal splitter SP1 are used to divide downstream CATVsignal 102 eight ways. CATV downstream signals 102 travel from inputport 112 to first four-way signal splitter output ports 134, 135, 136,and 137 and second four-way signal splitter output ports 144, 145, 146,and 147 to the pieces of subscriber equipment 115 that may be connectedto any or all of output ports 134, 135, 136, 137, 144, 145, 146, or 147.First four-way signal splitter 130 in this example uses two-waysplitters SP2, SP3, and SP4 to execute the four-way signal split, andsecond four-way signal splitter 140 in this example uses two-waysplitters SP5, SP6, and SP7 to make the four-way signal split. CATVupstream signals 104 that originate from pieces of subscriber equipment115 are combined by four-way splitters 130 and 140 and splitter SP1 intoa single upstream CATV signal 104 that is sent to the CATV network andhead-end. Low-pass filter circuit 186 is a circuit designed to keep IHEsignals 106 from exiting the IHE network and entering the CATV network.Low-pass filter circuit 186 is optional and may be used in any of thesystems shown or described in this document.

Ideally, the pieces of subscriber equipment 115 that are IHE-compatibleshould be able to communicate through the splitter legs to the otherpieces of IHE-compatible subscriber equipment 115 withmultimedia-over-coax signals 106. For example, subscriber equipment 115at output port 134 is IHE compatible, and can communicate withsubscriber equipment 115 at output port 135 by sendingmultimedia-over-coax signals 106 to output port 135 by jumping thesplitter legs of splitter SP3. Subscriber equipment 115 should be ableto communicate with subscriber equipment 115 at output port 147 bysending multimedia-over coax-signals 106 which jump several splitterlegs to travel from output port 134 to output port 147.

However, the typical signal splitter has a high degree of signalrejection or isolation between its separate output signal componentlegs. Because conventional signal splitters are designed for the CATVbandwidth signals (e.g., 5-1002 MHz), they have low and non-flatisolation as well as high and non-flat insertion loss in the IHE bands,in particular in the multimedia-over-coax band of 1125 to 1675 MHz.Additionally, inherent losses in coaxial cables also increase withincreasing frequency, resulting in roll-off (e.g., non-flat insertionloss) characteristics in the multimedia-over-coax frequency band. Whenthe multimedia-over-coax signals 106 traverse between the separatesignal component legs of a splitter, the degree of signal rejection orisolation greatly attenuates the strength of the multimedia-over-coaxsignals 106. According to field tests, IHE-enabled devices coupled tothe output ports of a single two, three, or four-way signal splitter areable to communicate using the multimedia-over-coax frequency band.However, IHE-enabled devices coupled to the output ports of twodifferent multi-port signal splitters have signal loss problems becauseof the high isolation and signal path loss of the system formultimedia-over-coax signals 106. Thus IHE-compatible subscriberequipment 115 at port 134, for example, will have signal loss problemswhen trying to communicate with IHE-compatible subscriber equipment 115at port 147.

Some IHE network communication protocols recognize the possibility ofvariable strength multimedia-over-coax signals 106 and provide thecapability to boost the strength of multimedia-over-coax signals 106 tocompensate for the variable strength of multimedia-over-coax signals 106that would otherwise be communicated between IHE-enabled devices.However, boosting the strength of multimedia-over-coax signals 106 canresult in the strength or power of multimedia-over-coax signals 106being substantially greater than the strength or power of CATV signals102 and 104 communicated within the subscriber premises. Consequently,the multimedia-over-coax signals 106 have the capability of adverselyaffecting the proper functionality of standard CATV subscriberequipment, such as a digital video recorder or an embedded multimediaterminal adapter (eMTA).

FIG. 2 shows a typical example of an IHE network that includes signaloutput port 114 for embedded multimedia terminal adapter (eMTA) 116. AneMTA device combines a high-speed data cable modem with Voice overInternet Protocol technology to create a platform that connects analogtelephones and terminal equipment (e.g., fax) to the cable operator'sadvanced Internet protocol communications network. The cable modemprovides a data interface for communicating Internet protocol packets toand from the CATV network and head-end, and an analog telephone adapterprovides a Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) interface for an analogtelephone set. The eMTA device converts between analog voice signals andpackets. A lifeline telephone is a well-known example of an eMTA device.The eMTA device is a device which must be assured of communication withthe CATV network and head-end even when power is down, because the eMTAdevice is used for safety and security purposes.

When eMTA devices are used within a multi-split CATV signal distributionsystem such as that shown in FIG. 1, EMTA device 116 can lose connectionwith the head-end of the CATV system because of the losses resultingfrom the multiple signal splits. In the prior art it is stronglyrecommended to use a first initial signal split for eMTA device 116 sothat eMTA device 116 can be guaranteed to not lose connection with thehead-end due to low signal strength caused by multiple signal splits. Inthe prior art signal distribution system of FIG. 2, splitter SP8 isadded to separate signal output port 114 from the main signal branchcoming from input port 112. The advantage of this system is that outputport 114 is assured of good communication with the CATV head-end. Thusoutput port 114 is used as the eMTA port. The problems is that thisapproach will not only result in higher isolation between the outputports of four-way splitters 130 and 140, it may prevent communicationbetween the eMTA device 116 coupled to signal output port 114 and theIHE-compatible subscriber devices 115 that are coupled to any of outputports 134, 135, 136, 137, 144, 145, 146, or 147 of the four-waysplitters. Therefore, there is a need for a new approach for classiceight-way CATV signal splitters and eMTA-compatible multiport entrydevices to solve these issues.

FIG. 3 shows a simplified schematic of an embodiment of CATV signaldistribution system 110 according to the invention. CATV signaldistribution system 110 according to the invention can be included in anentry adapter or other enclosed CATV device. CATV signal distributionsystem 110 according to the invention can be a distributed device withmultiple pieces distributed throughout a home or business network, forexample. In some embodiments CATV signal distribution system 110 iscontained within a single building. In some embodiments CATV signaldistribution system 110 is contained within a single premises network.

CATV signal distribution system 110 of FIG. 3 includes signal input port112, first multi-port signal splitter 130, and second multi-port signalsplitter 140. In some embodiments CATV signal distribution system 110includes more than two multi-port signal splitters. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 3, multi-port signal splitter 130 is a four-way signalsplitter, but the invention is not limited in this aspect. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, multi-port signal splitter 140 is a four-waysignal splitter, but the invention is not limited in this aspect. Insome embodiments CATV signal distribution system 110 according to theinvention includes two or more multi-port signal splitters, where eachof the multi-port signal splitters has two or more multi-port signalsplitter output ports.

CATV signal distribution system 110 of FIG. 3 includes signal input port112, first four-way signal splitter 130, and second four-way signalsplitter 140. In this embodiment first four-way signal splitter 130includes signal splitters SP2, SP3, and SP4, but other configurations offirst four-way signal splitter 130 are envisioned. In this embodimentsecond four-way signal splitter 140 includes signal splitters SP5, SP6,and SP7, but other configurations of second four-way signal splitter 130are envisioned.

Two-way splitter SP1 and first and second four-way signal splitters 130and 140 split downstream CATV signals 102 eight ways such thatdownstream CATV signals 102 are received by first four-way signalsplitter 130 output ports 134, 135, 136, and 137, and second four-waysignal splitter 140 output ports 144, 145, 146, and 147.

First four-way signal splitter 130 is coupled to signal input port 112through first diplexer 150. First diplexer common node 156 is coupled tofirst four-way signal splitter input port 132. First diplexer low-passnode 152 is coupled to signal input port 112 through first signalsplitter SP1. In this way first four-way signal splitter 130 is coupledto signal input port 112 through first diplexer 150.

Second four-way splitter 140 is coupled to signal input port 112 throughsecond diplexer 160. Second diplexer common node 166 is coupled tosecond four-way signal splitter input port 142. Second diplexer low-passnode 162 is coupled to signal input port 112 through first signalsplitter SP1. In this way second four-way signal splitter 140 is coupledto signal input port 112 through second diplexer 160.

A diplexer is a signal splitting device which splits signals accordingto frequency. In this embodiment multimedia-over-coax signals 106 willbe conducted through first diplexer 150 by being conducted back andforth between common node 156 and high-pass node 154, and downstream andupstream CATV signals 102 and 104 will be conducted through firstdiplexer 150 by being conducted back and forth between common node 156and low-pass node 152. Similarly, in this embodiment,multimedia-over-coax signals 106 will be conducted through seconddiplexer 160 by being conducted back and forth between common node 166and high-pass node 164, and downstream and upstream CATV signals 102 and104 will be conducted through second diplexer 160 by being conductedback and forth between common node 166 and low-pass node 162. In thisway CATV signal distribution system 110 of FIG. 3 separates themultimedia-over-coax signal 106 path from the CATV signal 102 and 104path.

In the embodiment of CATV signal distribution system 110 shown in FIG.3, first diplexer 130 high-pass node 154 is coupled to second diplexerhigh-pass node 164. This allows multimedia-over-coax signals 106 to beconducted from first four-way splitter input port 132 to second four-waysplitter input port 142 through diplexers 150 and 160, avoiding two-waysplitter SP1. This eliminates the signal isolation loss that would occurin the prior systems shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, wheremultimedia-over-coax signals 106 being conducted from output port 134 tooutput port 147 would undergo signal attenuation due to having to jumpbetween the signal output legs of splitter SP1, from node 118 to node119. It has been found that in 8-way splits the signal losses occurringby having signals traverse between two different four-way splitters ishigh enough to disrupt communication between the devices at the outputports of the different four-way splitters. In CATV signal distributionsystem 110 of FIG. 3, however, the signal losses incurred by jumping thesplitter legs of SP1 have been eliminated. In this embodiment the signallosses between first four-way signal splitter input port 132 and secondfour-way signal splitter input port 142 have been eliminated. In thisembodiment multimedia-over-coax signals 106 see no more losses intraveling from first four-way signal splitter output port 134 to secondfour-way signal splitter output port 147 than they see in travellingfrom output port 134 to output port 137. Subscriber devices 115 coupledto first four-way signal splitter ports 134, 135, 136, and 137 cancommunicate using multimedia-over-coax signals 106 with subscriberdevices 115 coupled to second four-way signal splitter ports 144, 145,146, and 147 without the signal losses and possible loss ofcommunication that would occur in the situations illustrated in FIG. 1and FIG. 2.

In some embodiments CATV signal distribution system 110 of FIG. 3includes active circuit elements, such as one or more amplifier or otheractive network circuit elements. In some embodiments an active circuitelement is placed between first diplexer common node 156 and firstfour-way splitter input node 132. In some embodiments an active circuitelement is placed between second diplexer common node 166 and secondfour-way splitter input node 142. In some embodiments an active elementis placed elsewhere in CATV signal distribution system 110 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of CATV signal distribution system 110according to the invention. CATV signal distribution circuit 110 of FIG.4 operates the same as CATV signal distribution system shown in FIG. 3,except that in the embodiment of CATV signal distribution system 110shown in FIG. 4, first diplexer high-pass node 154 is coupled to seconddiplexer high-pass node 164 through attenuator circuit 180. Attenuatorcircuit 180 can be many different types of signal conditioning circuits.In this embodiment attenuator circuit 180 controls the attenuation ofsignals passing from first diplexer high-pass node 154 and seconddiplexer high-pass node 164. Attenuator circuit 180 in this embodimentallows the level of attenuation of multimedia-over-coax signals 106passing between first four-way splitter 130 and second four-way splitter140 to be adjusted to a particular desired level of attenuation. In someembodiments attenuator circuit 180 includes an equalizer circuit whichallows equalization of multimedia signals 106 being conducted betweenfirst four-way signal splitter 130 and second four-way signal splitter140. In some embodiments attenuator circuit 180 includes a reflectancecircuit which controls signal reflection of multimedia signals 106 beingconducted between first four-way signal splitter 130 and second four-waysignal splitter 140. Attenuator circuit 180 can be have an adjustableamount of attenuation. In some embodiments attenuator circuit 180 has anamount of attenuation that is adjustable from 0 dB to a predeterminedamount of attenuation.

In some embodiments attenuator circuit 180 can include an active circuitelement such as an amplifier. Including an amplifier in circuit 180allows multimedia-over-coax signals 106 to be amplified as well asattenuated.

FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 each show embodiments of CATV signaldistribution system 110 according to the invention for systems whichinclude eMTA port 114. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, andFIG. 7, CATV signal distribution system 110 includes signal input port112, first multi-port signal splitter 130, second multi-port signalsplitter 140, and signal output port 114, where output port 114 is meantto be coupled to a piece of eMTA equipment. First multi-port signalsplitter 130 is coupled to signal input port 112 through first diplexer150 as explained with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Second multi-portsignal splitter 140 is coupled to signal input port 112 through seconddiplexer 160 as explained with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Signaloutput port 114 is coupled to signal input port 112 through thirddiplexer 170. In some embodiments CATV signal distribution system 110includes more than two multi-port signal splitters. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, multi-port signal splitter 130 is afour-way signal splitter, but the invention is not limited in thisaspect. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7,multi-port signal splitter 140 is a four-way signal splitter, but theinvention is not limited in this aspect. In some embodiments CATV signaldistribution system 110 according to the invention includes two or moremulti-port signal splitters, where each of the multi-port signalsplitters has two or more multi-port signal splitter output ports.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, CATV signaldistribution system 110 includes signal input port 112, first four-waysignal splitter 130, second four-way signal splitter 140, and signaloutput port 114, where output port 114 is meant to be coupled to a pieceof eMTA equipment. First four-way signal splitter 130 is coupled tosignal input port 112 through first diplexer 150 as explained withreference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Second four-way signal splitter 140 iscoupled to signal input port 112 through second diplexer 160 asexplained with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Signal output port 114 iscoupled to signal input port 112 through third diplexer 170. Thirddiplexer 170 is used to allow a piece of eMTA subscriber equipment suchas subscriber equipment 116, that is IHE compatible, to communicate withIHE-compatible subscriber equipment 115 coupled to first and secondfour-way splitters 130 and 140. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 5, FIG.6, and FIG. 7, signal input port 112 is coupled to first diplexerlow-pass node 152 of first diplexer 150, second diplexer low-pass node162 of second diplexer 160, and third diplexer low-pass node 172 ofthird diplexer 170. These connections allow downstream CATV signals 102and upstream CATV signals 104 to be conducted from signal input port 112to signal output ports 114, 134, 135, 136, 137, 144, 145, 146, and 147through the low-frequency paths of first diplexer 150, second diplexer160, and third diplexer 170.

Multimedia-over-coax signals 106 in the embodiments shown in FIG. 5,FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 are conducted between signal output ports 114, 134,135, 136, 137, 144, 145, 146, and 147 through the high-pass nodes offirst diplexer 150, second diplexer 160, and third diplexer 170, asexplained further below.

In some embodiments CATV signal distribution system 110 as shown in FIG.5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 is included in a CATV entry adapter. In someembodiments CATV signal distribution system 110 as shown in FIG. 5, FIG.6, and FIG. 7 is distributed among several locations and enclosureswithin a home or business. In some embodiments first and seconddiplexers 150 and 160 and attenuator circuits 180, 181, and 182 areinclude in a single module—an adjustable isolation module 190 as shownin the figures. Adjustable isolation module 190 allows the isolation ofmultimedia-over-coax signals 106 to be adjusted. It is to be understoodthat the figures show examples of CATV signal distribution system 110and adjustable isolation module 190, and that many other specificembodiments are possible with different components and interconnections.

In some embodiments CATV signal distribution system 110 of FIG. 5, FIG.6, and FIG. 7 includes active circuit elements, such as one or moreamplifier or other active network circuit elements. In some embodimentsan active circuit element is placed between splitter SP8 and splitterSP1. In some embodiments an active circuit element is placed withinadjustable isolation module 190. In some embodiments an amplifier isplaced between splitter SP8 and splitter SP1. In some embodiments anamplifier is placed within adjustable isolation module 190. In someembodiments an active circuit element is placed between first diplexercommon node 156 and first four-way splitter input node 132. In someembodiments an active circuit element is placed between second diplexercommon node 166 and second four-way splitter input node 142. In someembodiments an active element is placed elsewhere in CATV signaldistribution system 110 of FIG. 5, FIG. 6, or FIG. 7.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, first and second diplexer high-passnodes 154 and 164 are coupled together through attenuator circuit 180,and third diplexer high-pass node 174 is coupled to first diplexerhigh-pass node 154 through splitter SP9. In this embodiment firstdiplexer 150 includes first diplexer common node 156 coupled to firstfour-way signal splitter input port 132, first diplexer high-pass node154 coupled to third diplexer high-pass node 174, and first diplexerlow-pass node 152 coupled to signal input port 112. In this embodimentfirst diplexer high-pass node 154 is coupled to third diplexer high-passnode 174 through signal splitter SP9. In this embodiment first diplexerlow-pass node 152 is coupled to signal input port 112 through signalsplitters SP1 and SP8.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, second diplexer 160 includes seconddiplexer common node 166 coupled to second four-way signal splitterinput port 142, second diplexer high-pass node 164 coupled to firstdiplexer high-pass node 154 through attenuator circuit 180 and splitterSP9, and second diplexer low-pass node 162 coupled to signal input port112. In this embodiment second diplexer low-pass node 162 is coupled tosignal input port 112 through signal splitters SP1 and SP8. Attenuatorcircuit 180 allows adjustable attenuation of multimedia-over-coaxsignals 106 conducted between first diplexer high-pass node 154 andsecond diplexer high-pass node 164. In some embodiments attenuatorcircuit 180 includes an equalizer circuit. An equalizer circuit sectionof attenuator circuit 180 adjusts the frequency response tilt, whenneeded, in the multimedia-over-coax band. In some embodiments attenuatorcircuit 180 includes a reflectance circuit. A reflectance circuitsection of attenuator circuit 180 is used to adjust the isolation levelamong output ports of the individual four-way splitters 130 and 140, andsignal output port 114. In some embodiments attenuator circuit 180 caninclude an active circuit element such as an amplifier. Including anamplifier in circuit 180 allows multimedia-over-coax signals 106 to beamplified as well as attenuated.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, multimedia-over-coax signals 106 areconducted between signal output ports 114, 134, 135, 136, 137, 144, 145,146, and 147 using the high-frequency signal path that connectshigh-pass nodes 154, 164, and 174 of first, second, and third diplexers150, 160, and 170. This minimizes isolation losses ofmultimedia-over-coax signals 106 being conducted between multimediadevices connected to signal output ports 114, 134, 135, 136, 137, 144,145, 146, and 147, and allows adjustment of the frequency response andreflectance of the multimedia-over-coax signals 106. This also allowsmanagement of multimedia-over coax signals 106 without damaging orcompromising the CATV network or CATV signals 102 or 104. In thisembodiment the eMTA subscriber equipment coupled to signal output port114 can communicate with IHE-compatible subscriber equipment 115 coupledto any of the output ports 134, 135, 136, 137, 144, 145, 146, or 147 offirst four-way signal splitter 130 and second four-way signal splitter140. This communication is difficult to impossible in the prior artsystem shown in FIG. 2 due to multimedia-over-coax signal 106 losses dueto the signals jumping the legs of the signal splitters. Also, in thesystem shown in FIG. 5, IHE-compatible subscriber equipment 115 coupledto output ports 134, 135, 136, or 137 of first four-way signal splitter130 can communicate using multimedia-over-coax signals 106 with any ofthe IHE-compatible subscriber equipment 115 coupled to output ports 144,145, 146, or 147 of second four-way signal splitter 140. Thiscommunication is difficult to impossible in the prior art systems shownin FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 due to multimedia-over-coax signal 106 losses fromsignals 106 jumping the legs of the signal splitters.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, first and second diplexer high-passnodes 154 and 164 are coupled together, and third diplexer high-passnode 174 is coupled to first diplexer high-pass node 154 and seconddiplexer high-pass node 164 through attenuator circuit 180. In thisembodiment first diplexer 150 includes first diplexer common node 156coupled to first four-way signal splitter input port 132, first diplexerhigh-pass node 154 coupled to third diplexer high-pass node 174, andfirst diplexer low-pass node 152 coupled to signal input port 112. Inthis embodiment first diplexer high-pass node 154 is coupled to thirddiplexer high-pass node 174 through signal splitter SP9 and attenuatorcircuit 180. In this embodiment first diplexer low-pass node 152 iscoupled to signal input port 112 through signal splitters SP1 and SP8.Attenuator circuit 180 allows adjustable attenuation ofmultimedia-over-coax signals 106 conducted between third diplexerhigh-pass node 174 and both first diplexer high-pass node 154 and seconddiplexer high-pass node 164. In some embodiments attenuator circuit 180includes an equalizer circuit that allows adjustment and equalization ofthe frequency response of multimedia-over-coax signals 106 conductedbetween third diplexer high-pass node 174 and both first diplexerhigh-pass node 154 and second diplexer high-pass node 164. An equalizercircuit section of attenuator circuit 180 adjusts the frequency responsetilt when needed in the multimedia-over-coax band. In some embodimentsattenuator circuit 180 includes a reflectance circuit. A reflectancecircuit section of attenuator circuit 180 is used to adjust theisolation level among output ports of the individual four-way splitters130 and 140, and signal output port 114. In some embodiments attenuatorcircuit 180 can include an active circuit element such as an amplifier.Including an amplifier in circuit 180 allows multimedia-over-coaxsignals 106 to be amplified as well as attenuated.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, second diplexer 160 includes seconddiplexer common node 166 coupled to second four-way signal splitterinput port 142, second diplexer high-pass node 164 coupled to firstdiplexer high-pass node 154, and second diplexer low-pass node 162coupled to signal input port 112. In this embodiment second diplexerlow-pass node 162 is coupled to signal input port 112 through signalsplitters SP1 and SP8. In this embodiment second diplexer high-pass node164 is coupled to first diplexer high-pass node 154 through splitterSP9.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, multimedia-over-coax signals 106 areconducted between signal output ports 114, 134, 135, 136, 137, 144, 145,146, and 147 using the high-frequency signal path that connectshigh-pass nodes 154, 164, and 174 of first, second, and third diplexers150, 160, and 170. This minimizes isolation losses ofmultimedia-over-coax signals 106 being conducted between multimediadevices connected to signal output ports 114, 134, 135, 136, 137, 144,145, 146, and 147, and allows adjustment of the frequency response andreflectance of multimedia-over-coax signals 106. This also allowsmanagement of multimedia-over coax signals 106 without damaging orcompromising the CATV network or CATV signals 102 or 104. In thisembodiment an eMTA subscriber device, such as eMTA device 116, coupledto signal output port 114 can communicate with IHE-compatible subscriberequipment 115 coupled to any of the output ports 134, 135, 136, 137,144, 145, 146, or 147 of first four-way signal splitter 130 and secondfour-way signal splitter 140. This communication is difficult toimpossible in the prior art system shown in FIG. 2 due tomultimedia-over-coax signal 106 losses due to the signals jumping thelegs of the signal splitters. Also, in the system shown in FIG. 6,IHE-compatible subscriber equipment 115 coupled to output ports 134,135, 136, or 137 of first four-way signal splitter 130 can communicateusing multimedia-over-coax signals 106 with any of the IHE-compatiblesubscriber equipment coupled to the output ports 144, 145, 146, or 147of second four-way signal splitter 140. This communication is difficultto impossible in the prior art systems shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 due tomultimedia-over-coax signal 106 losses due to 106 signals jumping thelegs of the signal splitters.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of CATV signal distribution system 110according to the invention. CATV signal distribution system 110 shown inFIG. 7 is similar to the CATV signal distribution systems 110 shown inFIG. 5 and FIG. 6, except CATV signal distribution system 110 shown inFIG. 7 includes several attenuator circuits, attenuator circuit 180,attenuator circuit 181, and attenuator circuit 182. Attenuator circuits180, 181, and 182 are shown in dotted lines to indicate that each one ofthem is optional, and can be used in any combination with the otherattenuator circuits. Attenuator circuits 180, 181, and 182 can be usedin combination or individually to adjust and/or balance the attenuationbetween four-way splitter output ports 134, 135, 136, 137, 144, 145,146, or 147, and signal output port 114 used with the eMTA device. Anyof attenuator circuits 180, 182, or 182 can include an equalizercircuit. An equalizer circuit section of attenuator circuit 180, 181, or182 adjusts the frequency response tilt, when needed, in themultimedia-over-coax band. Any of attenuator circuits 180, 181, or 182can include a reflectance circuit. A reflectance circuit section ofattenuator circuit 180, 181, or 182 is used to adjust the isolationlevel among output ports of the individual four-way splitters 130 and140, and signal output port 114. Attenuator circuits 180, 181, or 182can be fixed or adjustable attenuator circuits. Attenuator circuit 180,181, or 182 can be designed to have an attenuation level that isadjustable from 0 dB to a required attenuation level. In someembodiments attenuator circuit 180, 181, or 182 can include an activecircuit element such as an amplifier. Including an amplifier in circuit180, 182, or 182 allows multimedia-over-coax signals 106 to be amplifiedas well as attenuated.

FIG. 8 shows method 200 of electrically coupling two four-way signalsplitters according to the invention. Method 200 of electricallycoupling two four-way signal splitters includes step 210 of coupling afirst four-way signal splitter to a signal input port through a firstdiplexer, and step 220 of coupling a second four-way signal splitter tothe signal input port through a second diplexer. Method 200 ofelectrically coupling two four-way signal splitters according to theinvention also includes step 230 of coupling a first diplexer high-passnode of the first diplexer to a second diplexer high-pass node of thesecond diplexer. Method 200 can include many other steps. In someembodiments method 200 includes the step of coupling a signal outputport to the signal input port through a third diplexer. In someembodiments a third diplexer common node is coupled to the signal outputport, and a third diplexer low-pass node is coupled to the signal inputport. In some embodiments method 200 includes the step of coupling ahigh-pass node of the third diplexer to the high-pass node of the firstdiplexer. In some embodiments method 200 includes the step of coupling ahigh-pass node of the third diplexer to the high-pass node of the firstdiplexer through an attenuator circuit. In some embodiments theattenuator circuit includes an equalizer circuit. In some embodimentsthe attenuator circuit includes a reflectance circuit.

Step 210 coupling a first four-way signal splitter to a signal inputport through a first diplexer can include many other steps. In someembodiments step 210 includes the step of coupling a first diplexercommon node to a first four-way signal splitter input port. In someembodiments step 210 includes the step of coupling a first diplexerlow-pass node to the signal input port.

Step 220 coupling a second four-way signal splitter to the signal inputport through a second diplexer can include many other steps. In someembodiments step 220 includes the step of coupling a second diplexercommon node to a second four-way signal splitter input port. In someembodiments step 220 includes the step of coupling a second diplexerlow-pass node to the signal input port.

Step 230 coupling a first diplexer high-pass node of the first diplexerto a second diplexer high-pass node of the second diplexer can includemany other steps. In some embodiments step 230 includes the step ofcoupling the first diplexer high-pass node of the first diplexer to thesecond diplexer high-pass node of the second diplexer through anattenuator circuit. In some embodiments the attenuator circuit includesan equalizer circuit. In some embodiments the attenuator circuitincludes a reflectance circuit.

A method of electrically coupling two multi-port signal splitters isdisclosed. The method according to the invention includes the steps ofcoupling a first multi-port signal splitter to a signal input portthrough a first diplexer, coupling a second multi-port signal splitterto the signal input port through a second diplexer, and coupling a firstdiplexer high-pass node of the first diplexer to a second diplexerhigh-pass node of the second diplexer. In some embodiments coupling afirst multi-port signal splitter to a signal input port through a firstdiplexer includes the steps of coupling a first diplexer common node toa first multi-port signal splitter input port, and coupling a firstdiplexer low-pass node to the signal input port. In some embodimentscoupling a second multi-port signal splitter to a signal input portthrough a second diplexer includes the steps of coupling a seconddiplexer common node to a second multi-port signal splitter input port,and coupling a second diplexer low-pass node to the signal input port.

In some embodiments the step of coupling a first diplexer high-pass nodeof the first diplexer to a second diplexer high-pass node of the seconddiplexer includes coupling the first diplexer high-pass node of thefirst diplexer to the second diplexer high-pass node of the seconddiplexer through an attenuator circuit. In some embodiments theattenuator circuit includes an equalizer circuit. In some embodimentsthe method of electrically coupling two multi-port signal splittersaccording to the invention includes the step of coupling a signal outputport to the signal input port through a third diplexer, where a thirddiplexer common node is coupled to the signal output port, and where athird diplexer low-pass node is coupled to the signal input port. Insome embodiments the method includes the step of coupling a high-passnode of the third diplexer to the high-pass node of the first diplexer.In some embodiments the method includes the step of coupling a high-passnode of the third diplexer to the high-pass nodes of the first and thesecond diplexers.

While the present invention has been described with reference to anumber of specific embodiments, it will be understood that the truespirit and scope of the invention should be determined only with respectto claims that can be supported by the present specification. Further,while in numerous cases herein wherein systems and apparatuses andmethods are described as having a certain number of elements it will beunderstood that such systems, apparatuses and methods can be practicedwith fewer than the mentioned certain number of elements. Also, while anumber of particular embodiments have been described, it will beunderstood that features and aspects that have been described withreference to each particular embodiment can be used with each remainingparticularly described embodiment.

1. A community access television (CATV) signal distribution systemcomprising: a CATV signal input port configured for connection to a CATVnetwork; a signal splitter comprising a common splitter terminal and atleast two splitter output terminals, wherein: the common splitterterminal couples to the CATV signal input port, the signal splitter isconfigured to divide a CATV downstream signal received at the commonterminal into multiple CATV downstream signals supplied at the at leasttwo splitter output terminals, the signal splitter is configured tocommunicate upstream signals received at the at least two splitteroutput terminals to the common splitter terminal; a first diplexercomprising a first common node, a first high-pass node, and a firstlow-pass node, wherein: the first diplexer is configured to communicatesignals within a predetermined high frequency band between the firstcommon node of the first diplexer and the first high-pass node of thefirst diplexer, the first diplexer is configured to communicate signalsat a predetermined low frequency band between the first common node andthe first low-pass node, the first low-pass node directly connects to afirst splitter output terminal of the at least two splitter outputterminals, and the first common node is configured to be coupled to atleast a subscriber device; a second diplexer comprising a second commonnode, a second high-pass node, and a second low-pass node, wherein: thesecond diplexer is configured to communicate signals within thepredetermined high frequency band between the second common node of thesecond diplexer and the second high-pass node of the second diplexer,the second diplexer is configured to communicate signals at thepredetermined low frequency band between the second common node of thesecond diplexer and the second low-pass node of the second diplexer, thesecond low-pass node of the second diplexer directly connects to asecond splitter output terminal of the at least two splitter outputterminals, the common node of the second diplexer is configured to becoupled to at least a second in-home entertainment-compatible subscriberdevice, and the second high-pass node of the second diplexer isconfigured to couple to the first high-pass node of the first diplexer,and a first multi-port splitter having a common port and a plurality ofoutput ports, the common port configured to be coupled to the commonnode of the first diplexer, and at least one of the output ports of thefirst multi-port configured to be coupled to the first in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber device; a second multi-port splitterhaving a common port and a plurality of output ports, the common port ofthe second multi-port splitter being configured to be coupled to thecommon node of the second diplexer, and at least one of the output portsof the second multi-port splitter configured to be coupled to the secondin-home entertainment-compatible subscriber device; an attenuatorcircuit configured to: condition the signals within the predeterminedhigh frequency band by controlling reflection of the signals conductedbetween the first and second in-home entertainment-compatible subscriberdevices, wherein the second high-pass node of the second diplexer andthe first high-pass node of the first diplexer are configured tobidirectionally communicate the signals within the predetermined highfrequency band among a plurality of subscriber devices via theattenuator circuit and the controlling the reflection comprisescontrolling a strength of the in-home entertainment signals returning inan opposite direction, and adjust a frequency response tilt of thein-home entertainment signals within the predetermined high frequencyband bidirectionally communicated between the first plurality of in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices and the second plurality ofin-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices through thehigh-pass terminal of the first diplexer and the high-pass terminal ofthe second diplexer.
 2. The CATV signal distribution system of claim 1,wherein the attenuator circuit includes an equalizer circuit configuredto equalize the in-home entertainment signals conducted between thefirst and second in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices. 3.The CATV signal distribution system of claim 1, wherein the attenuatorcircuit includes a reflectance circuit configured to control signalreflection of the in-home entertainment signals conducted between thefirst and second in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices. 4.The CATV signal distribution system of claim 1, wherein the attenuatorcircuit is configured to adjust a level of attenuation from 0 dB to apredetermined level of attenuation.
 5. A community access television(CATV) signal distribution system configured to conduct downstream andupstream CATV signals between a CATV network and at least one subscriberdevice at a subscriber premises, and further configured to conductin-home entertainment signals between multiple subscriber devices at thesubscriber premises connected in an in-home entertainment network, theCATV signals occupying a frequency band which is different from anin-home network frequency band occupied by the in-home entertainmentsignals, the CATV signal distribution system comprising: a CATV signalinput port configured for connection to the CATV network; a signalsplitter comprising a common terminal configured to be coupled to theCATV signal input port, and two output terminals, the signal splitterconfigured to divide a CATV downstream signal received at the commonterminal into multiple CATV downstream signals supplied at its outputterminals, the signal splitter also configured to communicate upstreamsignals received at each output terminal to the common terminal; a firstsignal separation device configured to be coupled to a first subscriberdevice, and further configured to: communicate signals at apredetermined low frequency band from the first subscriber device to oneof the output terminals of the signal splitter; and block signals at apredetermined high frequency transmitted from the first subscriberdevice from reaching the signal splitter; a second signal separationdevice configured to be coupled to a second subscriber device, andfurther configured to: communicate the in-home entertainment signalsfrom the second subscriber device within the predetermined highfrequency band to the first signal separation device, wherein the firstsignal separation device communicates in-home entertainment signals fromthe first subscriber device within the predetermined high frequency bandto the second signal separation device; communicate signals at thepredetermined low frequency band from the second subscriber device tothe other of the output terminals of the signal splitter; and, blocksignals at a predetermined high frequency transmitted from the secondsubscriber device from reaching the signal splitter, wherein thesplitter is directly connected to the first signal separation device andthe second signal separation device; and an attenuator circuit coupledto the first signal separation device and to the second signalseparation device and configured to receive the in-home entertainmentsignals therefrom, the attenuator circuit configured to bidirectionallyconduct in-home entertainment signals within the predetermined highfrequency band between the first and second in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices, and configured to controlattenuation and control reflection of in-home entertainment signalsconducted between the first and second in-home entertainment-compatiblesubscriber devices within the predetermined high frequency bandbidirectionally conducted between the first and second in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices, wherein the controlling theattenuation comprises controlling a strength of the in-homeentertainment signals traveling between two points, and the controllingthe reflection comprises controlling a strength of the in-homeentertainment signals returning in an opposite direction.
 6. The CATVsignal distribution system of claim 5, further comprising a firstmulti-port splitter having a common port and a plurality of outputports, the common port configured to be coupled to the common node ofthe first signal separation device, and at least one of the output portsof the first multi-port configured to be coupled to the first in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber device.
 7. The CATV signaldistribution system of claim 5, wherein the attenuator circuit includesan equalizer circuit configured to equalize the in-home entertainmentsignals conducted between the first and second in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices.
 8. The CATV signaldistribution system of claim 5, wherein the attenuator circuit includesa reflectance circuit configured to control signal reflection of thein-home entertainment signals conducted between the first and secondin-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices.
 9. The CATV signaldistribution system of claim 5, wherein the attenuator circuit isconfigured to adjust a level of attenuation from 0 dB to a predeterminedlevel of attenuation.
 10. The CATV signal distribution system of claim5, further comprising: a first plurality of device ports configured toconnect to the first plurality of in-home entertainment-compatiblesubscriber devices; a second plurality of device ports configured toconnect to the second plurality of in-home entertainment-compatiblesubscriber devices; a first multi-port signal splitter comprising aninput terminal and a plurality of output terminals, wherein: the inputterminal of the first multi-port splitter is coupled to the common nodeof the first signal separation device, the plurality of output terminalsof the of the first multi-port splitter are connected to the firstplurality of device ports and configured to communicate signals withinthe predetermined low frequency band and the in-home entertainmentsignals within the predetermined high frequency band with the firstplurality of in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices; and asecond multi-port signal splitter comprising an input terminal and aplurality of output terminals, wherein: the input terminal of the secondmulti-port splitter is coupled to the common port of the second signalseparation device, the plurality of output terminals of the of thesecond multi-port splitter are connected to the second plurality ofdevice ports and configured to communicate signals within thepredetermined low frequency band and the in-home entertainment signalswithin the predetermined high frequency band with the second pluralityof in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices.
 11. The CATVsignal distribution system of claim 10, wherein the attenuator circuitis configured to: control a level of attenuation and reflection of thein-home entertainment signals within the predetermined high frequencyband between the first and second in-home entertainment-compatiblesubscriber devices passing from the high-pass terminal of the firstsignal separation device to the high-pass terminal of the second signalseparation device and passing from the high-pass terminal of the secondsignal separation device to the high-pass terminal of the first signalseparation device, and adjust a frequency response tilt of the in-homeentertainment signals within the predetermined high frequency bandbidirectionally communicated between the first plurality of in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices and the second plurality ofin-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices through thehigh-pass terminal of the first signal separation device and thehigh-pass terminal of the second signal separation device.
 12. The CATVsignal distribution system of claim 5, wherein the high-pass node of thefirst signal separation device is configured to couple to the high-passnode of the second signal separation device via the attenuator withoutany splitting of the in-home entertainment signals conducted between thefirst and second in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices.13. The CATV signal distribution system of claim 5, wherein theattenuator circuit is configured to control a level of attenuation ofthe in-home entertainment signals between the first and second in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices passing from the high-passnode of the first signal separation device to the high-pass node of thesecond signal separation device and passing from the high-pass node ofthe second signal separation device to the high-pass node of the firstsignal separation device.
 14. The CATV signal distribution system ofclaim 13, wherein the attenuator circuit is configured to adjustisolation among the first and second in-home entertainment-compatiblesubscriber devices.
 15. A community access television (CATV) signaldistribution system comprising: an attenuator circuit configured to:couple a high-pass node of the first signal separation device to ahigh-pass node of a second signal separation device, the attenuatorcircuit configured to bidirectionally conduct in-home entertainmentsignals within a predetermined high frequency band between first andsecond in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices, andconfigured to control attenuation of in-home entertainment signalswithin the predetermined high frequency band bidirectionally conductedbetween the first and second in-home entertainment-compatible subscriberdevices, control a level of attenuation of the in-home entertainmentsignals within the predetermined high frequency band between the firstand second in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices passingfrom the high-pass node of the first signal separation device to thehigh-pass node of the second signal separation device and passing fromthe high-pass node of the second signal separation device to thehigh-pass node of the first signal separation device, and adjust afrequency response tilt of the in-home entertainment signals within thepredetermined high frequency band bidirectionally communicated betweenthe first in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices and thesecond in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices through thehigh-pass node of the first signal separation device and the high-passterminal of the second signal separation device.
 16. The CATV signaldistribution system of claim 15 further comprising: a first plurality ofdevice ports configured to connect to the first in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices; a second plurality ofdevice ports configured to connect to the second in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices; a first multi-port signalsplitter comprising an input terminal and a plurality of outputterminals, wherein: the input terminal of the first multi-port splitteris coupled to the common port of the first signal separation device, theplurality of output terminals of the first multi-port splitter areconnected to the first plurality of device ports and configured tobidirectionally communicate signals at the predetermined low frequencyband and signals at the predetermined high frequency band with the firstin-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices; and a secondmulti-port signal splitter comprising an input terminal and a pluralityof output terminals, wherein: the input node of the second multi-portsplitter is coupled to the common port of the second signal separationdevice, the plurality of output terminals of the of the secondmulti-port splitter are connected to the second plurality of deviceports and configured to bidirectionally communicate signals at thepredetermined low frequency band and signals at the predetermined highfrequency band with the second in-home entertainment-compatiblesubscriber devices.
 17. The CATV signal distribution system of claim 15,further comprising a first multi-port splitter having a common port anda plurality of output ports, the common port configured to be coupled tothe common node of the first signal separation device, and at least oneof the output ports of the first multi-port configured to be coupled tothe first in-home entertainment-compatible subscriber device.
 18. TheCATV signal distribution system of claim 15, wherein the attenuatorcircuit includes an equalizer circuit configured to equalize the in-homeentertainment signals conducted between the first and second in-homeentertainment-compatible subscriber devices.
 19. The CATV signaldistribution system of claim 15, wherein the attenuator circuit includesa reflectance circuit configured to control signal reflection of thein-home entertainment signals conducted between the first and secondin-home entertainment-compatible subscriber devices.
 20. The CATV signaldistribution system of claim 15, wherein the attenuator circuit isconfigured to adjust a level of attenuation from 0 dB to a predeterminedlevel of attenuation.